Base on your statement and recount on the symptoms of your car, the first problem was intermittent in nature, so its much more difficult to diagnose it for, the technician/mechanic has a small chance of determining its causes because of the limited appearance of the symptoms, but when it didn't start after a break, then the technician has a full time of diagnosing it properly, since you car is a corolla 16V, it is a carburated engine with a electronic ignition system. The rotor is part of that electronic ignition system, it could be that, or ignition coil, distributor cap, igniter, or the positive supply lines.

The Distributor Rotor is widely available in many auto shop, for its the same with the 3A-U engine (with igniton coil inside the distributor) and 1S Engine, it should cost no more than P200.